Both Mr. and Mrs. Qin had been eagerly looking forward to this visit. Unfortunately, Mr. Qin had business outside and couldn’t join—leaving everything squarely on Mrs. Qin’s shoulders.
As Mr. Qin once said: misfortune may bring blessing; blessing may hide misfortune. Their eldest daughter, Qin Yue, had been deceived by that little schemer. Though she’d poured out deep emotions and a bit of money, it was precisely this pain that opened a door to mend family bonds.
Think about it—just heartbroken, feeling hollow inside, craving the quiet warmth of family. And right then, Qin Xin arrived. Between the sisters, a subtle, imperceptible closeness began weaving itself into daily life.
How perfect.
A good start is half the victory. This visit mattered deeply. Though Mr. Qin couldn’t come, he’d urged Mrs. Qin again and again before she left: *Lay the groundwork carefully.*
Mrs. Qin even patted her chest. “I’ve prepared for ages. Guaranteed to handle it with ease.”
Let’s go!
“…So where *are* they?”
Nine-thirty AM—not too early, not too late. Even on a weekend, they should be up by now.
Yet Shuiyue Court’s living room was silent. Not a single young lady in sight—only two or three maids standing stiffly, nervously.
“Madam,” one stepped forward, “please have some tea.”
She offered the cup carefully, forcing a smile.
Mrs. Qin set it aside and scanned the room. “Skip the tea. Where is everyone?”
Aunt Zou stood respectfully nearby. “A few are in the garden. Shall I call them?”
“I’m asking about the two *in this house*,” Mrs. Qin snapped, patience fraying. “Yueyue and Xinxin—where are they?”
A maid blurted, “Not sure about the second Miss… The eldest Miss is probably savoring tea… or lost in its afterglow.”
“Hmm?”
“No—no! I was babbling!” The maid ducked her head. “I don’t know…”
*Could they have gone out?* Impossible. Sunday visit was planned long ago.
The maids trembled. Mrs. Qin’s frown landed squarely on Aunt Zou.
*Others can bury their heads in the sand—but you, head maid, can’t stay silent.*
“You. Tell me. Where are they?”
“The second Miss… is still asleep,” Aunt Zou replied stiffly.
“And Yueyue?”
“The eldest Miss… also asleep.”
Mrs. Qin let out a dry laugh. “Both asleep—why not say it together? What’s the difference?”
*Quoting that “one’s a jujube tree, the other’s a jujube tree” line at me now?*
Aunt Zou stayed quiet. *Of course there’s a difference.*
“Almost ten! Why still sleeping? What happened?”
No need to answer—Qin Xin shuffled in, rubbing her eyes.
Blearily, she saw Mom and maids. No older sister. No senpai.
*Right… Mom mentioned visiting today.*
“Mom,” she yawned, “morning.”
Mrs. Qin frowned. “Poor sleep? Waking this late, looking so drained?”
“Went to bed late,” Qin Xin slumped into the sofa, massaging her temples. “Reviewing lessons…”
*(Truth: finished by nine. Just lingered outside Jiejie’s door… then spent five hours overthinking. No wonder I’m wrecked.)*
“Reviewing? *That* late?” Mrs. Qin fretted. “Xinxin, you finally came after years apart! Chat, play games—*anything* to bond! Why textbooks?”
*Are you *that* obsessed with studying?*
Qin Xin lifted her lids weakly. “Nothing to talk about.”
“How can there be *nothing*?” Mrs. Qin coaxed. “Even watching a drama together helps.”
Qin Xin rolled her eyes. “No shared activities. Besides… Jiejie has her own things.”
“Nonsense. She’s on leave.” *(I checked.)*
“Leave covers work,” Qin Xin said quietly. “Life has other matters.”
Mrs. Qin stood, glancing around. “Where’s your sister?”
“Sleeping.”
Mrs. Qin marched toward Qin Yue’s room. “Almost noon! Still asleep? *With whom?*”
Aunt Zou rushed to hold her back. “Madam—the eldest Miss had late matters last night. Maybe no sleep at all. She likely didn’t know you’d come. Not intentional!”
“But I *told* her!”
Qin Xin finally stirred. “Jiejie’s been busy lately. Rarely around. I couldn’t tell her.”
Ah. The child didn’t know. Stayed up. Now catching up.
“This child…” Mrs. Qin sighed, concern shifting. “However busy—her own sister visits! Should welcome her properly.”
*A rare weekend. Perfect time to nurture sisterhood. How could she be “busy”?*
“Fine. Let her rest,” Mrs. Qin relented. “We’ll watch TV and wait.”
Qin Xin sank into the sofa, half-listening, dozing between words.
Morning passed. Noon came.
“…Still not up. We’ll eat lunch—save some for Yueyue.”
Three PM. Afternoon tea.
“…We’ll drink ours—save a cup for Yueyue.”
Six PM. A faint sound finally echoed from the hallway.
……
“Huff… hnn.”
After the intense naval battle, Bai Ningning’s damage control activated first, restoring mobility. Phone check: early evening, *next day*.
She glanced beside her. Her older sister slept deeply, utterly undisturbed.
*Seriously… I warned you so many times. Why so stubborn? Ningning’s worried about your health.*
But first—feed the stomach.
Bai Ningning slipped into her light sleepwear, pushed the door open, and strolled out.
Today’s living room buzzed unusually: Qin Xin (her kohai), maids, and a well-preserved woman.
Swish—!
All eyes snapped to her the moment she entered.
…What’s going on?
